Steve Chabot and Aftab Pureval get dramatic on a neighborhood theater stage

Here's what you need to know about Steve Chabot and Aftab Pureval in 30 seconds
Wochit

Democratic candidate, Hamilton County Clerk, Aftab Pureval smiles as he listens to an answer from Republican incumbent, U.S. Rep,. Steve Chabot during a debate forum for the first and second congressional districts of Ohio hosted by AJC Cincinnati at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center in Amberly, Ohio, on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018.(Photo: Sam Greene/The Enquirer)

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the correct cost of the Brent Spence Bridge project.

The two congressional candidates in one of the nation's biggest races staged a melodrama Wednesday at a neighborhood theater on the west side of Cincinnati.

Voices were raised. Hands dramatically gestured. And blame fired back and forth. The second debate between Democratic candidate Aftab Pureval and Republican Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Westwood, didn't end with a musical number on the stage of the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in East Price Hill.

For an hour, Pureval and Chabot sparred in a free-for-all of zingers during the debate televised on WCPO.

At stake is Ohio's 1st Congressional District seat, which could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Chabot threw the first punches of the evening. Within the first two minutes, Chabot accused Pureval of being a carpetbagger and representing dictators and terrorists. The latter accusation has been derided by critics as misleading and stems from Pureval's work for a law firm that represents clients from all over the world.

"In our debate last week, my opponent talked robotically about 22 years I’ve had the honor to serve the people of this congressional district," Chabot said at the start of his opening remarks "Let’s see if he does it again tonight.”

Both Chabot and Pureval did much more than that. Many in the audience seemed stunned leaving, with a few saying it was not what they expected.

"This is a glory guy over here," Chabot said while pointing to Pureval. "He's got a great smile. He's a handsome guy, but this is a nuts and bolts job. There are workhorses and there are show horses. I don't think it's too hard to see which one he is and which one I am."

Pureval smiled.

"I wish you were a workhorse but that is not the truth," Pureval said.

When Chabot accused Pureval of projecting his insecurities onto him, Pureval retorted: "I wish you were less of a therapist and more of a congressman."

Chabot says he's never seen a "sleazier" campaign than Pureval's

Pureval's campaign has said the man, Jack Dohrenwend, wasn't a paid staffer. Pureval after the debate acknowledged Dohrenwend volunteered on his campaign but was not directed to do infiltrate Chabot's campaign.

Chabot wasn't convinced of Pureval's innocence.

"I've run against a lot of people over the years with records a heck of a lot better than him, and I've never had a sleazier campaign than this one," Chabot said.

Pureval shot back at Chabot accusing his campaign of stalking his wife. Chabot's campaign had denied this.

"I’m shocked to hear Mr. Chabot believes this is a sleazy campaign, because this campaign started with him parking a volunteer outside of my former home and literally stalking my fiancé and now wife, sending campaign operatives to our campaign events and try to disrupt them, trying to intimidate my campaign manager and other campaign staff," Pureval said.

Issues mixed in with insults

When issues came up, the candidates struggled to hide their contempt for each other. Pureval questioned why Chabot hasn't secured money to replace the Brent Spence Bridge and Western Hills Viaduct. Chabot said he has secured some money for the projects, which carry a $2.5 billion and $330 million price tags respectively.

“I wonder if a chunk of the Western Hills Viaduct didn’t hit him on the head he’s been so wrong on the viaduct time and time again,” Chabot said.

Pureval didn't find the joke funny.

"Mr. Chabot, I can't believe you'd make a joke about the Western Hills Viaduct crumbling," Pureval said. "A huge piece of concrete literally dropped on one of your constituents and nearly killed them."

Both Chabot and Pureval pledged to complete the viaduct, but exactly where the money will come from wasn't clear from either candidate.

Chabot said he opposes it on the basis it would weaken the drug laws. Pureval said he's still weighing the pros and cons. He believes in the goal of criminal justice reform but the proposed amendment seems to "tie the judges' hands" and might let people out of jail that shouldn't be.

"I'm not sure the positives of Issue #1 outweigh the concerns, and I'm weighing the pros and cons," Pureval said.

It's the other guy's fault

After the second debate Wednesday night, both candidates still put the blame on each other.

"I thought he was angry and overwhelming negative, straight from his opening statement right through his closing statement," Pureval said of Chabot's performance.

Pureval didn't get a rave review from Chabot.

"I wish it were less nasty," Chabot said. "You've seen what's happened outside the debate arena from the other side. We're dealing with a sleazy group of people here and it starts at the top of the ticket, Mr. Pureval."